Driver to stand trial over fatal crash

The man who was behind the wheel of a fuel tanker when it crashed and exploded into a fireball, killing two people on Sydney's northern beaches, has been committed to stand trial.

Shane Anthony Day, 47, is charged with two counts of dangerous driving occasioning death and one count of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm following the crash at Mona Vale in October 2013.

"There is clear evidence the accused was driving in a manner dangerous to the public," magistrate Janet Wahlquist said at a committal hearing at Downing Centre Local Court on Wednesday.

The court heard Day's truck was pulling more than 30,000 litres of fuel when it crashed at the bottom of a steep hill on Mona Vale Rd, rolled onto its side, hit several cars and burst into flames, killing two people and injuring five.

The defence has argued Day was unable to properly slow and stop the Cootes Transport truck because it had various mechanical problems, including faulty and worn brakes.

But the crown has argued evidence, including GPS readings and video from the dashcam of a nearby car, indicate Day was driving too fast and was in too high a gear for the steep descent.

The best gear would have been fourth or lower, the court heard, but evidence suggests Day could not have been in a gear lower than ninth.